The school district is reconsidering a new requirement for verifying that students live in Greenwich, which asks families renting in town to provide an affidavit from their landlord.

As part of the district's residency verification system, families with children looking to attend the town's public schools have been required to provide a copy of their current lease. Starting this year, they also are required to provide a signed and notarized affidavit from their landlord. By signing, the landlord commits to notifying the school system if the tenant moves and would be subject to criminal prosecution if any false statements are found to have been made. If the family does not provide the affidavit, their children can be denied a spot in school.

The new policy has angered many residents, who say it places an unfair burden on renters.

Contacted this week about the new policy, Superintendent of Schools William McKersie said that based on the community's response, administrators are "reviewing" the new requirements.

"We anticipate a decision within a week to 10 days as to whether or not this will continue to be a requirement," McKersie said in a statement. "Irrespective of that decision, the District remains committed to a thorough and effective process for verifying residency in the Town of Greenwich, as directed by the Board of Education."

John Bowman, who owns a three-family house on Ritch Avenue in Byram, said he thought the district was going too far in requesting the affidavits, and that the situation reminded him of the battle years ago over nonresident access to Greenwich Point.

"That's a horrendously offensive message to send that lower-income people can't be trusted to tell the truth," Bowman said. "I don't like sending messages like this. It's the beach all over again."

One family renting from Bowman has a child entering eighth grade this year and would have to verify their residency when the child goes into Greenwich High School.

"My reason for refusing is not because I would forget and be prosecuted, it's just because I find it so offensive," Bowman said.

Asked about the reason behind adding the landlord requirement, district spokeswoman Kim Eves said the affidavit is a way to ensure the lease is legitimate. The change was "part of a comprehensive review and series of changes made to the process for this year to develop a more effective system," Eves said.

Greenwich is going further than the state law regarding school accommodations, however.

Harris said that under state statute, the burden of proof of residency falls with the family and that landlords are not required to submit documentation.

"He can if he wants to help out his tenant, but he doesn't have to if he doesn't want to," Harris said.

In the case of a child living with a relative or non-relative, the district could request documents, such as an affidavit, if they have reason to believe that the child does not actually live in the district and is only using the living arrangement to get a free education, Harris said.

"They may ask for documentation, but under the statute there's no requirement for a parent to produce an affidavit, unless it's a non-relative or other person" providing housing, Harris said "In the situation where you have children living with their parents or legal guardian, affidavits are not addressed in the law."

Harris declined to comment on whether he thought Greenwich's new requirement was a good idea, but noted that families denied access to the public schools can request a hearing with the local school board and appeal to the state Board of Education. The hearing would offer a legal challenge to the district's requirement, he said.

Greenwich Board of Education Chairman Leslie Moriarty said residents have raised concerns to board members about the new requirements, and they have been relayed to the superintendent.

The administration sets the policy for residency verification.

"I've gotten public comments both supporting a strong residency verification process as well as some comments on the burdensome nature of the current processes that are in place," Moriarty said. "The Board of Education has a responsibility to provide an education to all residents in town. But the board also has a responsibility to ensure that we're using our resources responsibly."

Bowman said he thinks the district should focus more on investigating children suspected of living outside the town.

"If you see kids walking over the bridge from Port Chester, follow them home," Bowman said. "If you have a problem or a perceived problem, the answer to it is to not do things that create two classes of citizens."